[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 202 (Thursday, October 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64096-64097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25590]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Advertised Timber for Sale

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the revision with changes of the currently approved 
information collection 0596-0066 Advertised Timber for Sale.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 17, 
2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to 
Lathrop Smith, Forest Management Service Center, 2150 Centre Ave., 
Bldg. A, Fort Collins, CO 80526-1891.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (970) 295-5755 or 
by email to: [email protected].
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Forest 
Management Service Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. A, Fort Collins, CO. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at (970) 295-5020 and ask for 
Lathrop Smith to facilitate entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lathrop Smith, Forest Management 
Staff, at (970) 295-5961. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Advertised Timber for Sale.
    OMB Number: 0596-0066.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2013.
    Type of Request: Extension with Revision.
    Abstract: Pursuant to statutory requirements at 16 U.S.C. 472a, 
unless extraordinary conditions exist as defined by regulation, the 
Secretary of Agriculture must (1) advertise sales of all National 
Forest System timber or forest products exceeding $10,000 in appraised 
value, (2) select bidding methods that ensure open and fair 
competition; (3) select bidding methods that ensure the Federal 
Government receives not less than appraised value of the timber or 
forest product; and (4) monitor bidding patterns for evidence of 
unlawful bidding practices.
    Pursuant to the Forest Service Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside 
Program, developed in cooperation with the Small Business 
Administration, Forest Service regulations at Title 36 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, Sec.  223.84 require Forest Service bid forms to 
include provisions for small business concerns. The data collected from 
the bid forms will be used by the Agency to ensure that National Forest 
System timber will be sold at not less than appraised value, that 
bidders will meet specific criteria when submitting a bid, and to 
monitor bidding for evidence of anti-trust violations.
    The tax identification number of each bidder is entered into an 
automated bid monitoring system, which is used to determine if 
speculative bidding or unlawful bidding practices are occurring and is 
required to process electronic payments to the purchaser.
    Respondents will be bidding on National Forest System timber sales 
and

[[Page 64097]]

Integrated Resource Timber Contracts. Forest Service Sales Officers 
will mail bid forms to potential bidders, and bidders will return the 
completed forms, dated and signed, to the Forest Service Sales Officer.
    The data gathered in this information collection are not available 
from other sources.

Forms Associated With This Information Collection

    FS-2400-42a--National Forest Timber and Forest Products for Sale 
(Advertisement and Short-Form Bid): This form will be used for 
soliciting and receiving bids on short-notice timber sales that are 
advertised for less than 30 days and less than $10,000 in advertised 
value. Respondents are bidders on National Forest System timber sales.
    FS-2400-14--Bid for Advertised Timber (3 form versions: FS-2400-
14UR- Unit Rate Bidding; FS-2400-14WA- Weighted Average Bidding; FS-
2400-14TV- Total Value Bidding): These forms will be used for 
soliciting and receiving bids on Timber Sales that are advertised for 
30 days or longer and generally greater than $10,000 in advertised 
value. These forms implement the same statutes, policies, and 
regulations and collect similar information from the same applicants. 
Respondents are the bidders on National Forest System timber and forest 
product sales.
    FS-2400-14BV--Solicitation and Offer For Integrated Resource 
Contract (2 form versions: FS-2400-14BV- Best Value, Total Value Offer; 
and FS-2400-14BVU- Best Value, Unit Rate Offer): These forms will be 
used for soliciting and receiving offers on Integrated Resource Timber 
Contracts that are advertised for 30 days or longer and generally 
greater than $10,000 in advertised value.
    Forms showing changes to the April 2010 versions currently in use 
can be viewed on the World Wide Web/Internet site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/products/newbidforms.shtm and at the 
Forest Management Service Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. A, Fort 
Collins, CO. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at (970) 295-5020 
and ask for Lathrop Smith to facilitate entry into the building.

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                 Item                        FS-2400-42a               FS 2400-14              FS-2400-14BV
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Estimate of Annual Burden............  9 hours................  34 hours...............  53 hours.
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Type of Respondents..................     Individuals, large and small businesses, and corporations bidding on
                                         National Forest timber sales and Integrated Resource Timber Contracts.
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Estimated Annual Number of             532....................  2145...................  174
 Respondents.
Estimated Number of Responses per      1.4....................  2.2....................  1.7
 Respondent.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on       4788 hours.............  72,930 hours...........  9222 hours.
 Respondents.
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Comment Is Invited

    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the stated purposes or the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information shall have practical or scientific utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including name 
and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments also 
will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 10, 2012.
James M. Pe[ntilde]a,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2012-25590 Filed 10-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P